Background
Abrams, Talbert was born on August 17, 1895 in Tekonsha, Michigan, United States. Son of William Blodgett and Sarah Elizabeth (Bruner) Abrams.
aviator explorer consultant manufacturer
Abrams, Talbert was born on August 17, 1895 in Tekonsha, Michigan, United States. Son of William Blodgett and Sarah Elizabeth (Bruner) Abrams.
Student, United States Naval Aeronautical School, Pensacola, Florida, 1917. Honorary Doctor of Science, Michigan College Mining and Technology, 1952. Doctor of Engineering (honorary), Michigan State University, 1961.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, Western Michigan University, 1971.
Born in Tekonsha, Michigan, Abrams learned to fly at the Curtiss Aviation School while working as a mechanic for Curtiss. He was issued Fédération Aéronautique Internationale pilot"s license number 282. The certificate was signed by Orville Wright.
He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1917 and was assigned to the United States Navy flying school at Pensacola.
Following World War I, his squadron took photos of rebel activities on Haiti, and Abrams became interested in the potential of aerial photography. In 1920, he left the military, purchased a war-surplus Curtiss JN-4 and founded a small airline, American Broadcasting Company Airline (Always Be Careful!), but remained more interested in photographic work.
The same year, he purchased a Standard J-1, fitted it with cameras, and founded the Abrams Aerial Survey Corporation (sold to Aerocom in 2003). Over the next few years, he formed the Abrams Instrument Corporation to develop better cameras and instruments for his work, and the Abrams Aircraft Corporation in 1937 to develop specially designed aircraft.
He got his first income from aerial photography when he took a photo of a racetrack from his bi-plane for a newspaper.
Later he used stereo-plotters to make maps for highway design and construction projects. In 1937 he developed a novel form of aircraft called "The Explorer", which was the first aircraft designed exclusively for aerial photography. During World World War II, he founded the Abrams School of Aerial Surveying and Photo Interpretation to teach these skills to the United States military, while his Instrument Corporation built reconnaissance cameras for aircraft.
In 1961, he sold the Abrams Instrument Corporation to Curtiss-Wright and went into semi-retirement.
He died in a nursing home in Lansing, Michigan on August 26, 1990, at the age of 95. Every year, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) presents the Talbert Abrams Award to a person who makes an outstanding contribution to aerial photography and mapping.
Mount Abrams in the Antarctic is named after him, as is the Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University.
Donor Talbert Abrams award, American Society Photogrammetry, from 1944. Donor Talbert and Leota Abrams Planetarium to Michigan State University, 1961, Meridian-Base Line Surveyors Park (history site) to State of Michigan, 1967. Donated Stratoplane Explorer to National Air Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
Served with aviation section United States Marine Corps, 1917-1919. Served with aviation section United States Army Air Corps Reserve, 1924-1934. Member National Association of Manufacturers (nuclear energy committee), American Society of Civil Engineers, Michigan Society Civil Engineers (honorary), American Society Photogrammetry (president 1951, honorary life member), Michigan Engineering Society (honorary), Detroit Society Engineers, Michigan Society Professional Engineers (honorary), American Congress Surveying and Mapping (honorary), Society of South Pole, Australian Institute Cartographers, Quiet Birdmen, Society of America Military Engineers, American Ordnance Association (past vice president), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, First Marine Aviation Force Veterans Association, Last Man Pioneer Air Mail Club, Chi Epsilon (honorary), Pi Tau Sigma (honorary), Tau Beta Pi (honorary) Clubs: Masons (New York City), Rotary (New York City), Explorers (New York City), Wings (New York City).
Lansing Engrs, City (director), Lansing Country, Circumnavigators.
Married Leota Fry, January 15, 1923 (deceased February 1978).
